Tension reel gripper mechanism



y 1959 w. G. SHERWOOD 3,446,450

TENSION REEL GRIPPER MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1967 Sheet Z of 3 2 FIG.|

l 26 so 56 3o 5 84 r s2 1 96 ,w's ea 2 Y a; l 94 44 9s 5e 5 32 5s 50 2 2 9e 48 as 44 a4 INVENTOR. 56 38 3o 56 WILLIAM G.SHERWOOD ATTORNEYS.

May 27, 1969 w. G. SHERWOOD TENSION REEL GRIPPER MECHANISM Sheet Filed Oct. 18, 1967 FIG.

OR. WILLIAM cf s'fi i awooo BY ATTORNEYS.

y 1969 w. G. SHERWOOD TENSION REEL GRIPPER MECHANISM Filed Oct. 18, 1967 Sheet 3 of 3 mvzzwrom WILLIAM G. SHERWOOD ATTORNEYS.

3,446,450 TENSION REEL RIPPER MECHANISM William George Sherwood, Salem, Ohio, assignor to E. W. Bliss Company, Canton, Ohio Filed Oct. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 676,354 Int. Cl. B65h 75/18 U.S. Cl. 24272.1 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mandrel including a stationary gripper jaw and a rotating gripper member mounted in an outwardly expanding and inwardly retracting mandrel segment, the rotating gripper member being operated by an assembly attached to a non-moveable portion of the mandrel and connected to a crank on the end of the rotating gripper member. Movement of the segment with expansion of the mandrel causes rotation of the moveable gripper jaw in a clamping direction. A spring in the operating mechanism permits .automatic adaptation of the gripper mechanism for sheet material of various thicknesses.

This invention relates to the art of winding and reeling mandrels and more particularly to gripper mechanism for securing the end of sheet material in such mandrels.

The present invention is particularly applicable to expanding mandrels of the type used to wind and reel continuous strip metal to produce a coil of same, and it will be discussed with particular reference thereto; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention has much broader applications and may be used in various similar apparatus for winding and reeling sheet material.

Expanding mandrels have been used for many years in the business of winding and reeling sheet metal, and it is common practice for such mandrels to include a plurality of cylindrical segments that expand radially outwardly during the winding process, so that upon completing the winding and reeling, the segments may be retracted to permit removal of the coil from the mandrel. In such expanding mandrels, it is the usual practice to provide some sort of gripping mechanism to lock the leading end of the sheet metal in the mandrel such that rotation of the mandrel will cause the winding and reeling to occur. While there are many types and forms of gripping mechanisms known in the industry, these are normally complicated and cumbersome devices, containing a great number of moving parts that are expensive to manufacture and assemble and which require complicated operating means to produce the gripping action. Furthermore, such devices seldom are adaptable for sheet material of various thicknesses without considerable adjustment of the parts. The well known devices become easily fouled by the sheet metal, and are often difiicult to disengage upon removal of the coil from the mandrel. Such mechanisms require considerable adjustment, depending on whether the sheet metal is being wound over or under the mandrel, necessitating reversal of parts or less than positive clamping pressure in order to accomplish this function. Accordingly, there has been an ever-present demand for a gripping mechanism that is positive in its clamping engagement, has relatively few parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and which will accomplish the intended functions in an economical and efiicient manner.

The present invention is directed toward a tension reel gripper mechanism for an expandable winding and reeling mandrel that is substantially less expensive than known mechanisms, and the invention is further directed toward an apparatus that is positive in its operation, adapts the mandrel to sheet material of various thicknesses, and

" nitecl States Patent 3,446,450 Patented May 27, 1969 which is readily accessible, automatically operated and simple in its manufacture and assembly.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mechanism comprising a stationary gripper jaw mounted in one of the expandable segments of the mandrel, a moveable jaw mounted adjacent the stationary jaw and moveable into clamping engagement with sheet metal disposed therebetween, and having operating mechanism that automatically moves the moveable jaw into such clamping engagement.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism including a stationary jaw and a moveable jaw mounted for movement into clamping engagement, and wherein the operating mechanism includes a biasing spring which may be overcome by sheet material of greater thickness.

In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism comprising stationary and moveable jaws for clamping the leading edge of sheet material, such jaws being moveable outwardly with expanding portions of the mandrel, and an operating mechanism which automatically moves the moveable jaw into clamping engagement with such outward expansion of the mandrel portion.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism comprising stationary and moveable jaw members, the moveable member being operated by an assembly attached to a non-moveable portion of the mandrel to automatically move the jaws into clamping engagement upon expansion of the mandrel .and disengage the clamping jaws upon retraction of the mandrel, and further including secondary means for disengaging the clamping jaws in the event of jamming of the jaws.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of tension reel gripper jaw mechanism in an expanding mandrel comprising gripper jaw actuating means to automatically move the jaws into sheet material clamping engagement upon expansion of the mandrel, and which is inexpensive to manufacture and use, is positive in its operation and contains a relatively few number of parts.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of tension reel gripper mechanism having operating means secured to a non-moveable portion of an expanding mandrel, and operable upon expansion of the mandrel to move the clamping jaws into positive sheet material clamping engagement regardless of the thickness of the sheet material disposed therebetween.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of tension reel gripper jaw mechanism for an expandable mandrel which may be easily adapted to various thicknesses of sheet material.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, illustrating an expanding :mandrel constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the expanding mandrel illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the expanding mandrel illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged end view of a portion of the mandrel illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, showing the operating mechanism in one position of operation;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged end view of a portion of the mandrel illustrated in FIGURES 13, illustrating the operating mechanism in another position of operation;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operating mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another portion of the mandrel illustrated in FIGURES l-3, showing the jaw release mechanism; and

FIGURE 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 7, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURES 1-3 best show the overall structure of an expanding mandreLof the type used to wind and reel sheet material, and particularly sheet steel. The expanding mandrel, indicated generally by the numeral 10, includes a journal portion 12 extending from one end thereof and being suitably in roller hearings or the like, not shown, which are mounted in a frame or housing containing the driving mechanism for the mandrel 10.

The mandrel includes a generally rectangular mandrel shaft 14 provided with slots 16 at the corners thereof, such slots 16 extending longitudinally along the shaft 14 to receive inner Wedge bars, indicated generally by the numeral 18. Wedge bars 18 are secured in the mandrel shaft 14 by suitable screws 20 and dowel pins 22, and include a plurality of inclined surfaces 24 forming a saw-tooth configuration, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Engaging the inclined surfaces of the wedge bars 18 are outer wedge bars, indicated generally by the numerals 26, also extending longitudinally of the mandrel 10. Outer wedge bars 26 include a series of inclined surfaces or ramps 28, which engage the ramp surfaces 24 of the inner wedge bars 18. It will be apparent that by movement of the outer wedge bars 26 in an axial direction relative to the inner wedge bars 18, the outer wedge bars 26 will be moved radially outwardly of the mandrel shaft 14. Outer wedge bars 26 are provided with arcuate outer surfaces formed on the same radius as the remainder of the mandrel 10, and the wedge bars 26 also include angular bearing surfaces 30, the purpose for which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Axially disposed within the mandrel shaft 14 is a mandrel operating rod 32 which is attached at the right hand end thereof, as viewed in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, to suitable reciprocating mechanism, not shown, located in the drive housing in which the mandrel 10 is journalled. Expanding rod 32 includes a conical portion 34 and a threaded end portion 36 to receive and retain a spider member, indicated generally by the numeral 38. Spider 38 is mounted on rod 32 and is held in place by a nut 40 received on the threaded portion 36 of the rod 32. Spider 38 includes a hub portion 42 and four outwardly extending arms 44, the arms being received in suitable blind bores 46 formed adjacent the ends of the outer wedge bars 26. It will be apparent that upon reciprocation of the expanding rod 32, the spider 38 being carried along with the rod 32, the outer wedge bars will be moved axially relative to the inner wedge bars 18 to cause radial outward expansion of the outer Wedge bars 26 by the ramps 24 and 28.

Disposed between the outer wedge bars 26 are four generally cylindrical segments, indicated generally by the numerals 48 and 50, the two right hand segments, as viewed in FIGURE 2, being identical and the two left hand segments being substantially the same, but with certain mirror-image differences to be hereinafter more particularly described. Segments 48 and 50 include longitudinal lands 52, common to all four of the segments, and which are slidably received in slots 54 formed in the mandrel shaft 14. Segments 48 and 50 include inner surfaces 56 which engage the inclined surfaces 30 on the outer wedge bars 26, such that upon movement of the outer wedge bars 26 in a radial direction the beveled or inclined surfaces 30 and 56 will cause the cylindrical segments 48 and 50 to also expand outwardly in a radial direction.

Cylindrical segments 48 and 50 are secured in the mandrel shaft 14 by means of a plurality of bolts 58, received in suitable bores 60 in the segments 48 and 50, the bolts having enlarged heads 62 and threaded ends 64. Springs 66 are disposed between the enlarged heads 62 and annular lands 67 at the lower ends of the bores 60, to provide retraction force for the segments 48 and 50 relative to the mandrel shaft 14. A suitable plug, or strip, 68 is received in the segments 48 to cover the bores 60, the plugs 68 having arcuate outer surfaces to blend with the cylindrical outer surfaces of the segments 48. Segments 48 and 50 further include generally triangular reinf'orcing webs 70 received in suitable slots or grooves 72 formed in the mandrel shaft 14.

Secured in any suitable manner to the end of the mandrel shaft 14 is an end plate, indicated generally by the numeral 74, having a central bore 76 receiving the spider hub 42 and with suitable bearing means 78 disposed therebetween. End plate 74 is provided with an inner annular chamber 80, the purpose for which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Thus, it will be apparent that upon reciprocation of the mandrel expanding rod 32 in the leftward direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, the spider 38 will cause the outer wedge bars 26 to move axially toward the left, and thus radially outwardly through the inter-action of the inclined surfaces 24 and 28. At the same time, the cylindrical segments 48 and 50 will move radially outwardly, due to the inter-action of the surfaces 56 on the segments and inclined surfaces 30 on the outer wedge bars 26. This causes the mandrel to expand to permit a strip of sheet metal to be coiled thercaround. Thereafter, the expanding rod 32 may be moved toward the right, as viewed in FIGURE 1, causing the spider 38 and outer wedge bars 26 to move longitudinally toward the right and radially inwardly along the ramps 24-28. As a result, the springs 66 bias the cylindrical segments 48 and 50 radially inwardly to retract, or collapse, the mandrel 10 and allow removal of the sheet metal coiled therearound.

From the foregoing operation it will be apparent that some means must be provided to clamp or retain the leading end of the sheet material that is to be coiled around the mandrel 10. For this purpose, the gripper mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 82, is provided in the cylindrical segments 50. It is to be understood that gripper means 82 are provided in each of the segments 50 and that the mechanisms are reversed, as between the upper and lower segments of FIGURE 2, each being the mirror-image of the other. Since they are alike, only one such mechanism will be described and reference numerals common to both mechanisms are provided on the drawings.

Mounted in the cylindrical segment 50, and extending longitudinally therealong, is an insert 84 which is secured in the segment 50 in any suitable manner. A stationary gripper jaw 86 is secured in the insert 84, and may be of a hardened material so that wear will not present a major problem. Also disposed in the cylindrical segment 50 and extending longitudinally therealong is a second insert 88 which is spaced from the insert 84 to provide a slot 90 for receiving the end of the sheet metal that is to be coiled around the mandrel 10. Disposed in insert 88 is a moveable gripper member, indicated generally by the numeral 92, which includes a shaft portion 94 and a jaw portion 96. Gripper member 92 is rotatable around the axis of the shaft portion 94, as will become hereinafter more apparent, so that the jaw portion 96 may be moved into clamping engagement with the sheet metal disposed in the slot 90. As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the sheet material, indicated by dashed and dotted lines 98, is received between the two jaw members 86 and 96, and clamped therebetween, whereupon rotation of the mandrel will cause the sheet material 98 to coil about the mandrel.

Located at the outward end of the cylindrical segment 50, and within the chamber 80 formed in the end plate 74, is the operating mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 100, for rotating the gripper member 92 into such clamping engagement. With reference now to FIG- URES 4-6, the operating mechanism 100 will be more particularly described. FIGURE 4 illustrates the operating mechanism and the movable gripper member 92 in the gripping position, securing the sheet material 98 between the jaw portion 96 and the stationary jaw 86 of the assembly. Mounted in end plate 74 is a pin 102 extending into the annular chamber 80 in the end plate 74, and mounted on the pin 102 is a block 104. Extending through the pin 102 and the block 104 is a shaft 106, having a threaded lower end 108 to receive a nut 110. The opposite end of the shaft 106 is suitably secured in an operating member 112 having an aperture 114 in the end thereof. Operator 112 and shaft 106 are slidable relative to the pin 102 in the bore 116 formed therein.

At the outward end of the shaft portion 94 of the movable gripper member 92 is a crank 118, having a crank pin 120 extending outwardly therefrom and along an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft portion 94. Crank 118 and crank pin 120 are disposed within the chamber 80 formed in the end plate 74. Crank pin 120 is received in a suitable bearing 122 mounted in the aperture 114 in the operating member 112. A mechanical biasing means, such as for example, a spring 124 disposed between the nut 110 and the block 104, serves to bias the shaft 106 in a direction away from the crank pin 120.

When the mandrel 10 is in the retracted position the parts of the operating mechanism 100 will be in the positions shown in FIGURE 5. As shown, the movable grip per member 92 is spaced from the stationary jaw 86 and the crank pin 120 is in the position shown relative to pin 102. At such time as the mandrel is expanded, the leading end of the sheet material is disposed in the slot 90 and between the gripper jaws 86 and 96. Upon movement of the mandrel expanding rod 32 in a leftward direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and the consequent radial outward movement of the segments 50 as hereinbefore described, the moveable gripper member 92 will move radially outwardly with the segment 50. Upon such movement, the spring 124 in the operating mechanism will cause the crank pin 120 to rotate about the axis of the shaft portion 94, thus rotating the gripper member 92 into clamping engagement with the sheet metal 98. The operating mechanism parts will, upon full expansion, assume the positions illustrated in FIGURE 4, wherein the operating member 112 has separated slightly from the block 104 against the urging of spring 124. It will be apparent that the thicker the sheet material disposed between the jaw portions 96 and 86, the more will be the separation between the block 104 and the operating member 112 against the spring 124. Thus, the thickness of the sheet material is automatically compensated for by the operating mechanism 100.

Upon retraction of the cylindrical segments 50, when the mandrel 10 is collapsed for removal of the coil, the operating member 112 will cause rotation of the shaft portion 94 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG- URE 4, to thus rotate the jaw portion 96 away from the stationary jaw 86 and out of clamping engagement. Since the pin 102 is mounted in a non-movable portion of the mandrel 10, being the end plate 74, the disengagement of the moveable gripper member 92 is automatic with the retraction or collapse of the mandrel 10. Thus, upon collapse of the mandrel, the sheet material is freed from the gripper members and may be easily removed from the mandrel.

Should for any reason the sheet material become jammed between the gripper jaws 96 and 86, a cam re lease assembly is provided in the cylindrical segment 50 and is best illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8. The right hand end of the shaft portion 94 of the moveable gripper member 92, as viewed in FIGURE 1, is provided with a square, or other suitable shape, shank 126 extending into a groove 128 formed in the cylindrical segment 50. Mounted on the shank 126 is a cam 130, rotatable with the moveable member 92. It will be apparent from viewing FIGURE 8, along with FIGURES 4 and 5, that upon movement of the gripper member 92 in a clamping direction, that is, counter-clockwise, the release cam 130 will move in the same direction. If the moveable gripper member becomes jammed it is only necessary to insert a suitable tool between the side wall 132 of the slot 128 and the side wall 134 of the cam 130, and pry the cam 130 in a clockwise direction, thus releasing the moveable gripper member 92 from engagement with the sheet material.

Thus, a tension reel gripper jaw mechanism is provided in an expanding mandrel of the type utilized to wind and reel sheet material, such mechanism being automatic in its operation to clamp or disengage from the sheet material, and is also positive in its clamping movement. The number of parts involved in the clamping mechanism are relatively few and are easily accessible for repair, replacement or other adjustment, should such become necessary during the life of the mandrel. By providing mirror-image mechanisms in adjacent segments, the mandrel is readily adaptable for winding the sheet material in either direction without requiring considerable adjustment in the gripping device to compensate for the direction of rotation. At the same time, the gripping mechanism is readily adapted to sheet material of various thicknesses, automatically adjusting therefor by means of the biasing spring disposed in the operating mechanism.

The present invention has been described in connection with certain structural embodiments; however, it is to be appreciated that various changes may be made in the structural embodiments without departing from the intended spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an expanding mandrel for winding and reeling and having a non-moveable portion and a plurality of segments expandable outwardly relative to said nonmoveable portion, means for securing sheet material in said mandrel and comprising a stationary gripper jaw mounted in one of said segments, a rotatable gripper jaw mounted in said one of said segments and rotatable into engagement with said stationary gripper jaw, and means mounted on said non-moveable portion of said mandrel and operatively connected to said rotatable gripper jaw for rotating said gripper jaw in a clamping direction when said one segment is expanded outwardly, said means being operable for rotating said rotating gripper jaw in a nonclamping direction when said one segment is retracted.

2. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said rotating gripper jaw include spring means for biasing said gripper jaw in a clamping direction to permit said jaw to rotate away from said stationary jaw when clamping sheet material of greater thickness.

3. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said rotating gripper jaw include a crank member mounted on one end of said rotating gripper jaw, and an operating member engaging said crank member, said operating member being substantially non-moveable in an outward direction when said one segment is expanded outwardly.

4. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 1 and further including a cam member mounted on said rotating gripper jaw and adjacent one end thereof, said cam member being rotatable to rotate said gripper jaw in an unclamping direction when said one segment is retracted.

5. Means for securing sheet material in an expanding mandrel for winding and reeling and having a non-moveable portion and a plurality of segments expandable outwardly relative to said non-moveable portion, said means comprising a stationary gripper jaw mounted in one of said segments and extending therealong, a rotatable gripper member mounted in said one of said segments and extending therealong in spaced ralation to said stationary gripper jaw, said member having a shaft portion and a jaw portion rotatable in a clamping direction toward said stationary gripper jaw to clamp sheet material therebetween, a crank on one end of said shaft portion, a crank pin extending from said crank in axially spaced relation to the axis of said shaft portion, and crank operating means secured in said non-moveable portion and connected to said crank pin for rotating said gripper member when said one segment is expanded in said mandrel and move said jaw portion in a clamping direction toward said stationary jaw.

6. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim wherein said crank operating means includes a spring biasing said jaw portion toward said stationary jaw, said spring adapting said mandrel to sheet material of different thicknesses.

7. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 5 and further including a cam member mounted on said gripper member and at the other end thereof, said cam member being rotatable to rotate said gripper member in an unclamping direction when said one segment is retracted.

8. Means for securing sheet material in an expanding mandrel for winding and reeling and having a non-moveable portion and a plurality of segments expandable outwardly relative to said non-moveable portion, said means comprising a stationary gripper jaw mounted in one of said segments and moveable therewith, a rotatable gripper member mounted in said one of said segments and moveable therewith, said gripper member having a shaft portion and a jaw portion rotatable toward said stationary gripper jaw and into clamping engagement with sheet material disposed therebetween, a crank member mounted on the end of said shaft portion and having a crank pin axially displaced from the axis of said shaft portion, a pin mounted in said non-moveable portion of said mandrel, and an operating member mounted on said pin and engaging said crank pin, said shaft portion moving outwardly with said one segment and said operating member causing rotation of said crank pin about the axis of said shaft portion to rotate said gripper member in a direction of clamping engagement.

9. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 8 and further including a spring engaging said operating member and biasing said operating member in a gripper member rotating direction, said spring being adjustable to maintain said gripper member in clamping engagement.

10. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim '8 and further including a cam member mounted on said shaft portion of said gripper member and at the opposite end thereof, said cam member being rotatable to rotate said gripper member in an unclamping direction.

11. Means for securing sheet material in an expanding mandrel for winding and reeling and having a non-moveable portion and a plurality of segments expandable in an outward direction relative to said non-moveable portion, said means comprising a stationary gripper jaw mounted in one of said segments and extending therealong, a rotatable gripper member mounted in said one of said segments and extending therealong in spaced relation to said stationary gripper jaw, said gripper member having a shaft portion and a jaw portion rotatable toward said stationary gripper jaw and into clamping engagement with sheet material disposed therebetween, a crank member on one end of said shaft portion, a crank pin extending outwardly from said crank member and having an axis in parallel spaced relation to the axis of said shaft portion, a pin mounted in said non-moveable portion of said mandrel, a block mounted on said pin, a shaft extending through said block and said pin, an operating member on one end of said shaft and rotatably connected to said crank pin, a nut on the other end of said shaft, and a spring around said shaft and engaging said nut and said block and biasing said nut and said block in opposite directions, said operating member and said shaft and said block and said pin tending to retain said crank pin in position when said segment is moved outwardly to cause said gripper member to rotate about the axis of said shaft portion into clamping engagement against the force of said spring.

12. The means for securing sheet material set forth in claim 11 and further including a cam mounted on the other end of said shaft portion of said gripper member and in said one of said segments, said cam being operable to rotate said gripper member in an unclamping direction.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,755,031 7/1956 Russell 24272.1 2,920,837 1/ 1960 Wingard 242-72.1 3,093,338 6/1963 Trapp 242-72.1 3,167,270 1/ 1965 Jones 242--72.1

NATHAN L. MINTZ, Primary Examiner. 

